Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the government to cut financial benefits for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men who refuse to comply with military conscription orders. The ruling states that in the absence of concrete steps to enforce enlistment, the state must take practical measures, including withdrawing subsidies and reduced-rate benefits.

The decision follows years of legal challenges to a long-standing exemption that allows ultra-Orthodox men engaged in full-time religious study to avoid compulsory national service. In 2024, the court ruled that the government must begin conscripting them, intensifying pressure on political leaders to act.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose governing coalition depends on ultra-Orthodox parties, has resisted efforts to end the exemption. The court clarified that the removal of benefits should not be viewed as sanctions, but rather as the loss of eligibility for state support tied to military service.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews now make up about 14 percent of Israel’s Jewish population, with roughly 66,000 men of military age currently exempt. Military data shows that only a small percentage respond to draft notices, fueling growing public resentment as other Israelis face extended military service during ongoing conflicts.